Go Fly a Kite!
Today’s Pentecost scripture reading featured the moment when “...suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting” (Acts 2:1-21). Rushing in with the wind is the Holy Spirit, filling people up and allowing them to understand each other like never before. What better way to connect with this astonishing moment than by flying a kite – or, if you’re feeling crafty, by making one?
There are lots of resources on the internet with a variety of kite designs; after a thorough search and the construction of a prototype, we recommend checking out these two websites:
Martha Stewart – these instructions are a bit overly-complex, but the use of straws might make this project more accessible to those with limited craft supplies, and the instructions for how to attach the flying line are helpful.
wikiHow – this one involves wooden dowels (you could also substitute chop sticks) and is slightly more difficult to execute, but the “notching” of the cross pieces can also be done with straws if you’re following the first set of instructions but don’t want to poke quite so many holes in the straws. This site also has videos of each step.
In the end, we used elements of both designs: joining together straws to create the cross shape, wrapping string around the center to keep it stable, then notching the ends of the straws and running string around the perimeter to help the kite keep its shape. You can use wood or straws, depending on what your family has on hand. The sail of your kite can be made of newspaper or a plastic garbage bag – just cut it an inch or two larger than your frame, fold the edges over the perimeter string, and glue or tape it in place. Decorate it however you like. Make a tail out of light fabric or ribbon – this will help it fly straight. To attach the flying line, attach string to the frame in a cross shape (with some slack in the lines), then tie the end of your flying line to the intersection of the string cross. You can wrap the line around a toilet paper roll or even a pen so you can let out the line as you go.
Once your kite is complete, take it outside and let the wind do its work! As you watch it fly, remember the rushing in of the Holy Spirit, invisible but still seen by its effect on the world.
Please share pictures of your kites – or design tips – on our Facebook page! Here’s hoping the windy days continue, so our kites can fly high...
